Never save the best for later
You don't know what tomorrow holds
--Paulo Coelho--
Happy New Year, everybody....!!!
Year End Quote
Jakarta Maghrib
Director/Writer: Salman Aristo
Casts: Indra Birowo, Widi Mulia, Lukman Sardi,
Ringgo Agus Rahman, Reza Rahadian, Adinia Wirasti
Casts: Indra Birowo, Widi Mulia, Lukman Sardi,
Ringgo Agus Rahman, Reza Rahadian, Adinia Wirasti
I have read many positive comments about this movie on twitter. A couple days a go I found the DVD at Gunung Agung bookstore, bought it and couldn't wait to watch it.
The movie tries to capture Jakarta people at maghrib time. Maghrib is special since it is the transition from noon to evening. There are 5 different stories (Iman Cuma Ingin Nur, Adzan, Menunggu Aki, Jalan Pintas, Cerita Si Ivan). Telling about many kinds of people with their own different stories. Some stories are touching, others are funny and also some others are so-so.
The movie is closed by a story called Ba'da. It is the time when all characters in the movie has experienced his/her own maghrib moment. They will eventually meet each other with or without interaction. A unique movie. My favorite stories are Iman Cuma Ingin Nur and Jalan Pintas. Truly entertaining!
The movie tries to capture Jakarta people at maghrib time. Maghrib is special since it is the transition from noon to evening. There are 5 different stories (Iman Cuma Ingin Nur, Adzan, Menunggu Aki, Jalan Pintas, Cerita Si Ivan). Telling about many kinds of people with their own different stories. Some stories are touching, others are funny and also some others are so-so.
The movie is closed by a story called Ba'da. It is the time when all characters in the movie has experienced his/her own maghrib moment. They will eventually meet each other with or without interaction. A unique movie. My favorite stories are Iman Cuma Ingin Nur and Jalan Pintas. Truly entertaining!
The Marriage Bureau For Rich People
Author: Farahad ZamaTranslator: Rinurbad
Publisher: Penerbit Matahati
Publication Date: January 2010
Pages: 455
I bought this book in a bookstore nearby my home. They sold a lot of discount books there and this book was only sold for Rp 20.000,- a kind of cheap. I bought the book without expecting too much but it turned out to be very enjoyable.
The story takes place in India, the lead character here is Mr. Ali, a retired civil servant. He starts to build a marriage bureau in order to have something to do. To his surprise, the business becomes so successful that he needs to hire an assistant, Aruna, a poor but admirable girl. Here it goes the clients' stories and also stories about Mr. and Mrs. Ali, their son, Aruna and all the ups and downs of their life.
From the book description we will get a glimpse of modern India and how complicated they are in arranging a marriage. So many things to consider in the marriage such as: the religion, the caste and the socioeconomic status. To this day this marriage 'screening' is still going strong. One doesn't marry outside of his caste and one very rarely marries for love. Instead family members will prepare an appropriate match.
Along the way, the author will tell about many interesting Indian customs. I love the way the author put the readers inside life in India today. Little conversation between people in India. A sneak peek into Indian wedding ceremonies. Little visit with people seeking a husband or a wife. A funny, warm-hearted and delightful read.
I found out that there are the sequel of this book The Many Conditions of Love and The Wedding Wallah. Hope that Penerbit Matahati will translate all:))
Aleph
AlephBy Paulo Coelho
HarperCollins Publishers
2011
300 pages
To live is to experience things
not to sit around pondering the meaning of life
In his newest book, this Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho tells about his most personal experience. It's all started when Coelho felt dissatisfaction in life and stagnation in spiritual growth. After discussing with his master, he finally decided to experience a journey of personal discovery. He then set off onto a journey starting from Africa, Europe and Asia via Trans-Siberian railway during March-July 2006.
Most of the novel describes Coelho's experiences during the train journey. Coelho is not alone in the journey. He is there with his publisher and a mysterious girl whom he meets in the journey. The girl insists to join the journey with Coelho. Later on Coelho finds out that she is Hilal whom he loved five hundred years a go in a different incarnation. Here it goes a very personal account where Coelho talks about relationship with Hilal in the previous incarnation.
As usual Coelho is awesome in naratting a story and provide some lessons at the end of his writing. I read the book slowly, digest it bit by bit then enjoy it as a food to my soul. Very inspiring.
It isn't what you did in the past that will affect the present.
It's what you do in present that will redeem the past and thereby change the future.
Most of the novel describes Coelho's experiences during the train journey. Coelho is not alone in the journey. He is there with his publisher and a mysterious girl whom he meets in the journey. The girl insists to join the journey with Coelho. Later on Coelho finds out that she is Hilal whom he loved five hundred years a go in a different incarnation. Here it goes a very personal account where Coelho talks about relationship with Hilal in the previous incarnation.
As usual Coelho is awesome in naratting a story and provide some lessons at the end of his writing. I read the book slowly, digest it bit by bit then enjoy it as a food to my soul. Very inspiring.
It isn't what you did in the past that will affect the present.
It's what you do in present that will redeem the past and thereby change the future.
Macaroon on Weekend
I am sure almost all of you will fall in love to see this tempting-look cookies. Yes it's macaroon. After looking at so many pics of this cute macaroon, finally I decided to order it via Facebook. The macaroon packages had already arrived last Saturday. They accompanied me enjoying my weekend.
How's about the taste? Is it as tempting as its look? Well...not bad lah...People might have different taste. For me the taste of macaroon is just too sweet. Too much for my kampung tongue. Perhaps I'd rather go back to my original taste: martabak, getuk and gemblong :)
A Little Girl who Falls in Love with Fancy Cookies
My girl, Najla, is a huge fan of cemilan. She loves cookies and all kinds of pastries. Last week she suddenly told me that she desperately wanted to munch fancy cookies. I asked our usual baker, unfortunately she could not fulfill our request:(
I thought Najla already forgot about this sudden request. But..I was wrong. She continued saying that the urge to eat the cookies was so unbearable *drama* and asked me to please..please find other baker who has fancy cookies as she wish.
Thanks to the internet. As a mom who has poor cooking skill, all I can do are to open my laptop and browse here and there. Finally I found this blog. After e-mailing each other, the baker, mbak Ochie, promised me to send the cookies on Monday. Najla was super excited.
Last night the cookies arrived at 8 pm. Actually it's already Najla sleep time but she asked an exception, "Ma, aku boleh cobain kukisnya nggak? Satu aja?" Well...okay sweety, I know exactly how it feels to have a dream comes true. I also knew for sure that Najla slept with a big smile last night:)
Chicken Soup for the Tea Lover's Soul
Translated from: Chicken Soup for the Tea Lover's SoulAuthors: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Patricia Lorenz
Translator: Donna Widjajanto
Publisher: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Publication Date: 2011
Edition Description: First Edition
Pages: 245
Hidup seharusnya dinikmati: Disesap sedikit demi sedikit seperti layaknya minum teh (Anonim)
Enjoying a cup of tea is definitely my favorite part of the day. My hubby was the one who introduced me with tea about ten years a go. Since I don't drink coffee, I guess tea is the one that fits me.
Just like other Chicken Soup series, this book is also a compilation, this time the theme is all about tea. Therefore we'll find story about tea's ancient history, the many choices of tea available, the tips on buying, storing, preparing tea and even a few ideas on how to host a tea party.
For those not knowing what to give as a gift for the holiday season (or any other special occasion) perhaps this book is one of the good alternatives. This little book will please its readers with its inspirational true stories of the tea drinking experience and how tea has brought people together in fellowship and family.
Nothing soothes the soul like a cup of tea and a good book, so curl up and wash away the tensions and troubles of the day. Let's brew our tea now, shall we?
Sarah's Key
Translated from: Sarah's Key
Author: Tatiana De Rosnay
Translator: Lily Endang Joeliani
Publisher: PT Elex Media Komputindo
Publisher date: 2011
Pages: 339
Author: Tatiana De Rosnay
Translator: Lily Endang Joeliani
Publisher: PT Elex Media Komputindo
Publisher date: 2011
Pages: 339
A book with holocaust theme always leaves me with a mixed up feeling. Feeling blue for all the victims and feeling horrible to find out the detailed incidents. Sarah's Key is one of the book that haunting me for days. The author is extremely good in delivering a touching portrayal of one of the darkest incidents in French history.
In this book, the author creates two parallel stories which eventually intersect and each completes the other. One story takes place on July 1942, it's told from Sarah's tone, a ten-year-old girl. She, her mother and her father are brutally arrested by French Police and taken to the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup. Since her younger brother doesn't want to go, finally Sarah locks him up in a wardrobe in the family's apartment, slips the key to her pocket and promises him that she will be back within a few hours.
The second story takes place on May 2002 and concerns a modern-day journalist, Julia Jarmond who gets an assignment to write about Vel' d'Hiv's 60th anniversary. Through her investigation, she stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to Sarah. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own place in France and to reevaluate her marriage and her life.
This is one of the best book I've read in a while. A well told story that is based on actual incidents. It combines history, horror and drama. It will linger in your head for days. A must read.
This great book has already been adapted into a movie in 2010. Go check the movie here.
In this book, the author creates two parallel stories which eventually intersect and each completes the other. One story takes place on July 1942, it's told from Sarah's tone, a ten-year-old girl. She, her mother and her father are brutally arrested by French Police and taken to the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup. Since her younger brother doesn't want to go, finally Sarah locks him up in a wardrobe in the family's apartment, slips the key to her pocket and promises him that she will be back within a few hours.
The second story takes place on May 2002 and concerns a modern-day journalist, Julia Jarmond who gets an assignment to write about Vel' d'Hiv's 60th anniversary. Through her investigation, she stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to Sarah. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own place in France and to reevaluate her marriage and her life.
This is one of the best book I've read in a while. A well told story that is based on actual incidents. It combines history, horror and drama. It will linger in your head for days. A must read.
This great book has already been adapted into a movie in 2010. Go check the movie here.
Arisan! 2
Producer: Kalyana Shira FilmDirector: Nia Di Nata
Writer: Nia Di Nata
Casts: Cut Mini, Tora Sudiro, Surya Saputra, Aida Nurmala, Rachel Maryam
The scene is taken back and forth between a glamorous party in Jakarta and a quite Gili Trawangan where Meimei (Cut Mini) looks for peacefulness. The movie is almost complete, I enjoy not only the witty conversation but also the great places (Lombok, Borobudur) and the beautiful wardrobes. A light movie actually but it just hit me. It cheered me up.
This movie also give certain inspirations to me such as the scene on Waisak celebration at Borobudur Temple has made me promise myself that someday I have to go there and feel the solemn and peaceful atmosphere. The last I love in the movie is the batik blouses worn by Meimei (Cut Mini), almost all of them are beautiful, I heart them:)
Such A Perfect Day
Each end gives us the opportunity for a rebirth.---Aleph, Paulo Coelho---
I got a special moment yesterday. A yummy lunch, a nice yet warm girls talk and closed by a great present, Paulo Coelho's latest book, Aleph. What a day! Thank you lovely Rina, you just made my day *hug*
